Allianz Teknik is partnering with TEGV, an NGO educational partner in Turkiye, on a nationwide program to increase risk awareness in children about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
"As a company that protects against risks, we aim to raise awareness of earthquakes and fire hazards among the next generation. Children are extremely vulnerable when such a disaster occurs. We want to educate them on minimizing the dangers and the best action to protect themselves", said Tolga Gurkan, CEO of Allianz Turkiye.
The three-year program aims to reach 145,000 children, ages 10 and above, in 34 cities. The program will involve both classroom and video training sessions, a mobile field truck, and a board game designed by Allianz Teknik consultants. Visits to Allianz Teknik will also be provided to school groups. The facility - which is the first and only accredited center in Turkiye for earthquake and fire testing and training - features earthquake and fire simulators, testing machines, and hands-on training rooms equipped for special demonstrations.
The earthquakes and aftershocks that devastated the region in February are among the most severe natural disasters of the last century. They hit in the early morning and devastated southeast Turkiye and northern Syria, destroying cities and killing more than 46,000 people.
"The situation in the region remains acute. The Red Cross reports that over 100,000 people were injured in the earthquakes. Over 1.9 million people live in tents and temporary shelters in Turkiye, and 500,000 are homeless in Syria. As Allianz, we have a duty to help people from the affected areas recover and to support their rebuilding efforts", said Sirma Boshnakova, Member of the Allianz SE Board of Management.
Of the total Allianz earthquake relief funds, 4 million euros has been distributed by Allianz SE. An additional one million euros has been committed by Allianz entities based in Turkiye, while Allianz employees and agents also donated 683,000 euros to the Red Cross Society. Allianz Group has matched this amount while also contributing to the German Red Cross in their collaboration with the Red Crescent in Turkiye and Syria.
In addition, Allianz Trade has donated 50,000 euros to local NGOs working in the region, while Allianz Portugal has given 38,000 euros to UNICEF for its relief efforts in Turkiye. As part of a long-term partnership with Malaysia International Search and Rescue (MISAR), Allianz Malaysia supported MISAR's post-relief efforts, including the distribution of 2,000 trauma kits to children in the affected region.
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